Ski binding



May 19, 1964 M. G. PIERSON SKI BINDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15,1962 MAM m jN mQ R E m PMT a% W 1 N my May 1964 M. 6. PERSON 3,133,296

SKI BINDING Filed Dec. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 FIG: 4

FIQ (if)? INVENTOR. fEQL/N GT p/E/QSON A? TOR'NEK5 United States PatentOfilice 3,133,295 Patented May 19, 1964 3,133,296 SKI BINDING Merlin G.Pierson, Greenbush, Minn. Filed Dec. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 244,350 4Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This invention relates to new and very usefulimprovements in water skis.

More particularly, this invention relates to a ski binding for securelyfastening a foot in place on a water ski.

As those familiar with the art of water skiing will appreciate, waterskis are used while the wearer is bare foot. conventionally, water skibindings for holding a foot in place ona water ski utilize a flexiblevamp and a cup-shaped counter for encompassing a heelof the foot. Thevamp is usually rigidly secured along its side edges to the surface ofthe ski while the counter is provided with some means for movement alongthe longitudinal axis of the ski towards and away from the vamp. The arthas long sought simple, safe and reliable means for longitudinallymoving the counter toward and away from the vamp and for locking thecounter in a fixed osition so as to hold the foot of the wearer upon theupper surface of the ski once the vamp and the counter are securely andcomfortably engaged with the foot at the timethe ski binding is put onthe foot of the wearer.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, safe, sturdy andreliable ski binding for Water skis in which the counter portion isadjustable.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved water skibinding having an adjustable heel engaging portion provided with a noveland very effective adjustment mechanism to produce selective slidingmovements of the heel engaging portion.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved water skibinding -in which there is a reliable heel adjustment mechanismconstructed of few parts which are easily assembled, positive inoperation, and which resists rearward thrust thereagainst.

It is another object of this invention to provide a ski binding havingan adjustable heel whose position on the upper surfaee of a ski is fixedby means of a single latch member.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from a reading of the present specificationtaken together with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a ski binding ofthe invention showing a part of the associated water ski;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ski binding of FIG. 1 showing a part ofthe associated water ski;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG.2; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detail, transverse sectional view taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings there is seen in FIG. 1 a ski binding hereinreferred to in its entirety by the numeral 10. The forward portion ofthe ski binding comprises a flexible vamp 11 which is adapted to receivethe fore part of a foot 12 (shown in dotted lines). In this embodimentthe lateral side edges are adapted for fastening the vamp 11 to theupper surface of a water ski 13. Here the fastening means in theembodiment shown comprises a pair of fastening plates 14 which areconveniently secured over the lateral side edges of the vamp 11 to thesurface of the ski 13 by means of screws 16. It will be observed thatthe vamp 11 has an integral upstanding tongue 17 which overlies theupper part of the instep adjacent the ankle of the foot 12.

Turning now to the heel portion 19 of the ski binding 10 there is seen agenerally horizontally disposed slide plate 13 which has a front side 21and a pair of lateral sides 22 and 23. In the front side is defined aU-shaped recess adapted to receive the heel portion 19 of foot 12. Thelateral sides 22 and 23 each have a pair of laterallyoutwardly-extending edge portions 24 and 25, respectively. These edgeportions 24 and 25 (each paired) are adapted for slidable reception ineach one of a pair of elongated gibs 27 and 28, respectively. Each gib27 and 28 is adapted to be secured tothe upper surface of the ski 13, asby means of screws 29, in laterally spaced, parallel relationshiprearwardly of the vamp 11. The upper and lower walls of the gibs 27 and28 define opposed channels for slidable reception of the adjacent sideedge portions 24 and 25 of slide plate 18. In the embodiments shown,both gibs 27 and 28 have longitudinally spaced notches 30 defined in oneof the walls of the channel defined in each gib 2'7 and 28. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 16, for example, each gib 27 and 28 has adownturned lip 31 depending from its top side and each lip 31 has formedin its depending edge the desired notches 3t which'are spaced so as tobe a short distance above the slide plate 18.

Extending generally longitudinally of each gib 27 and 28 and having theend of each of its lateral side members pivotally secured to eachlateral side edge 22 and 23, respectively, of slide plate 18 for commonmovements therewith is a resilient latch member 32. The

- are journalled in theside edges 22 and 23 of slide plate 18. The bendis sufficient to produce a pair of fulcrum portions 36 in the initiallink of each lateral side member 35 adjacent the point of journ-allingas shown, for example, in FIG. 5. The remaining portion of each lateralside member 35 between the fulcrum portion 36 and the locking portion 34thus serves to yieldingly lever locking portion 34 against the notches30. The locking portion 34 is formed at the end of each lateral sidemember 35 as an inwardly laterally extending shoulder and it is at theends of this shoulder that the handle portion 33 connects as can beseen, for example, in FIG. 2. Thus, in the embodiment shown, when thehandle portion 33 is depressed downward toward the top surface of ski13, each locking portion 34 of latch member 32 is moved out ofengagement With notches 30, thereby permitting rearward longitudinalmovement of the slide plate 18. When the handle portion is released, thelatch member 32 returns to its locking configuration and the lockingportion 34 comes into engagement with the notches 39, thereby lockingthe slide plate 18 against rearward movement longitudinally of the gibs27 and 28. Of course, forward movement, longitudinally, of slide plate18 is facilitated by disengaging the locking portions 34 of latch member32 by depressing the handle portion 33.

A cup-shaped counter 38 of flexible material is formed so as toencompass the heel portion of foot 12. Counter 38 is mounted upon theslide plate 18, and for this purpose, the counter 38 is provided with anoutwardly extending flanged region 39 about its bottom side edges. AU-shaped fastening plate 49 fits over the flanges 39 and rivets 41extend from the -U-shaped fastening plate 4t) through flanges 39 intothe slide plate 18. Note that the counter 38 is conveniently fitted withforwardly extending flanges 42 so that the heel of foot 12 will fit backinto the cup-shaped counter 38 permitting the flanges 42 to yieldinglyhold the ankle bone of foot 12.

It will be observed that the notches 30 in each gib 27 and 28 togethercomprise a first longitudinally extending group 44 and a secondlongitudinally extending group 45. Each notched group 44 and 45 ispositioned end to end with respect to the other. The individual notchesin each group 44 and 45 are all alike. Each notch 30 has a leadingportion forming a camming surface and a trailing portion forming anabutment surface. The leading portions and trailing portions,respectively, of the notches of the first group 44 are reversed fromthose of the second group 45; thus, the same gib 27 and 28 can be usedfor a right hand or a left hand position thereby permitting the lockingportions 34 of the latch member 32 to be held in a yielding lockingengagement with each notched lip 31 of the pair of gibs 27 and 28 usedin the ski binding of the invention so as to lock the slide plate 18against rearward movement longitudinally of the gibs 27 and 28.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completelysatisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while Ihave shown and described a preferred embodiment, I wish it to bespecifically understood that the same is capable of modification withoutdeparture from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The claims are:

1. A ski binding for holding a foot in place on a water ski comprising:

(a) a flexible vamp adapted to receive the forepart of a foot and havinglateral side edges adapted for fastening to the upper surface of saidski,

(b) a generally horizontally disposed slide plate,

(c) a pair of gibs adapted for fastening to the upper surface of saidski behind said vamp, each gib being in spaced parallel relationship tothe other and adapted to engage at least a portion of one lateral sideedge of said slide plate, said gibs coacting to hold said slide plateagainst movement except along the longitudinal axis of said ski binding,

(d) each gib having a downturned lip depending from its top side, eachlip having a notched edge spaced a short distance above said slideplate,

(6) a latch member of generally U-shaped rigid resilient materialdefining ahandle portion, locking portions and paired spaced lateralside members, the ends of said latch member being journalled for arcuatemovements in said slide plate and each lateral side member being adaptedto extend generally longitudinally of each gib beneath the notched edgeof each downturned lip, said locking portions being formed as inwardlylaterally extending shoulders at the rear end of each lateral sidemember and the handle portion joining the inward ends of each suchshoulder, each such locking portion being held in yielding lockingengagement with said notched 4 edge of the adjacent downturned lip tolock said slide plate against rearward movement longitudinally of saidgibs, and

(f) a flexible heel engaging counter secured to said slide plate.

2. The ski binding of claim 1 wherein:

(a) each notched edge has regularly notches,

(b) each notch having a leading portion forming a camming surface and atrailing portion forming an abutment surface, and

(0) each notched edge being idivided into two longitudinally spacedparts so that the respective leading and trailing edges of the notchesof one part are reversed relative to those of the second part.

3. A ski binding for holding a foot in place on a water ski comprising:

(a) a flexible vamp adapted to receive the forepart of a foot and havinglateral side edges adapted for fastening to the upper surface of saidski,

(b) a generally horizontally disposed slide plate,

(0) a pair of gibs adapted for fastening to the upper surface of saidski behind said vamp, each gib being in spaced parallel relationship tothe other and adapted to engage at least a portion of one lateral sideedge of said slide plate, said gibs coacting to hold said slide plateagainst movement except along the longitudinal axis of said ski binding,

(d) each gib having a downturned lip depending from its top side, eachlip having a notched edge spaced a short distance above said slideplate,

(e) each notched edge having regularly spaced, like notches each ofwhich has a leading portion forming a camming surface and a trailingportion forming an abutment surface,

(1) each notched edge being divided into two longitudinally spaced partsso that the respective leading and trailing portions of the notches ofone part are reversed relative to those of the second part,

(g) a latch member of generally U-shaped, rigid, resilient materialdefining a handle portion, paired locking portions, and paired laterallyspaced side members, the ends of said latch member being journalled forarcuate movements in said slide plate, each lateral side member beingadapted to extend generally longitudinally of each gib beneath thenotched edge of each downturned lip, each locking portion being formedas an inwardly laterally extending shoulder at the rear end of eachlateral side member, and the handle portion joining the inward ends ofeach shoulder,

(11) each gib being so positioned that the locking portion of theadjacent latch member is held in yielding locking engagement with saidnotched edge so as to lock said slide plate against rearward movementlongitudinally of said gib, and

(i) a flexible heel engaging counter secured to said slide plate.

4. A ski binding for holding a foot in place on a water ski comprising:

(a) a flexible vamp adapted to receive the forepart of a foot and havinglateral side edges adapted for fastening to the upper surface of saidski,

(b) a generally horizontally disposed slide plate,

(0) a flexible heel-engaging counter secured to said slide plate,

(d) a pair of elongated gibs adapted to be secured to the upper surfaceof said ski in laterally spaced parallel relationship rearwardly of saidvamp and having vertically spaced upper and lower walls and definingopposed channels for slidable reception of adjacent side edge portionsof said slide plate longitudinal of said ski,

(e) each gib having longitudinally spaced notc e 1n spaced like one ofsaid upper and lower walls of the channel and opening toward the otherof said walls,

(1) and a generally U-shaped latch member defining, an intermediatehandle portion, laterally spaced side portions each extending generallylongitudinally of and adjacent a diiferent one of said gibs and eachhaving one end connected to said slide plate for common slidingmovements therewith, and laterally extending locking portions connectingthe other ends of said side portions with said handle portion,

(g) each of said locking portions being yieldingly urged generallyvertically toward said notches in the References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Daves Nov. 24, 1903 Jahn Jan. 12, 1960Moline Feb. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 10, 1927

4. A SKI BINDING FOR HOLDING A FOOT IN PLACE ON A WATER SKI COMPRISING:(A) A FLEXIBLE VAMP ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE FOREPART OF A FOOT AND HAVINGLATERAL SIDE EDGES ADAPTED FOR FASTENING TO THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAIDSKI, (B) A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SLIDE PLATE, (C) A FLEXIBLEHEEL-ENGAGING COUNTER SECURED TO SAID SIDE PLATE, (D) A PAIR OFELONGATED GIBS ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SKI INLATERALLY SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP REARWARDLY OF SAID VAMP ANDHAVING VERTICALLY SPACED UPPER AND LOWER WALLS AND DEFINING OPPOSEDCHANNELS FOR SLIDABLE RECEPTION OF ADJACENT SIDE EDGE PORTIONS OF SAIDSLIDE PLATE LONGITUDINAL OF SAID SKI, (E) EACH GIB HAVING LONGITUDINALLYSPACED NOTCHES IN ONE OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER WALLS OF THE CHANNEL ANDOPENING TOWARD THE OTHER OF SAID WALLS, (F) AND A GENERALLY U-SHAPEDLATCH MEMBER DEFINING, AN INTERMEDIATE HANDLE PORTION, LATERALLY SPACEDSIDE PORTIONS EACH EXTENDING GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY OF AND ADJACENT ADIFFERENT ONE OF SAID GIBS AND EACH HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO SAIDSLIDE PLATE FOR COMMON SLIDING MOVEMENTS THEREWITH, AND LATERALLYEXTENDING LOCKING PORTIONS CONNECTING THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID SIDEPORTIONS WITH SAID HANDLE PORTION, (G) EACH OF SAID LOCKING PORTIONSBEING YIELDINGLY URGED GENERALLY VERTICALLY TOWARD SAID NOTCHES IN THEADJACENT ONE OF SAID GIBS TO RELEASABLY LOCK SAID SLIDE PLATE AGAINSTREARWARD MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID GIBS.